After the 1980s, Turkey came under the influence of American culture and in a sense became culturally Americanized. It broke away from the accumulation of the Ottoman Empire that dominated three continents for centuries, and from its culture that integrated with universal values ​​and enriched with minorities during the Republican period. It shifted from accumulating virtue to accumulating goods and money. While in the past, working in deprived regions meant bringing light to the darkness, today it has become important to find the opportunity and get away from those places. Doing paid military service was mentioned with pride and no one realized that it eliminated civic awareness. No one found it strange that the funerals of martyrs who were standing were always those of “those who knew the price of bread.”

It ceased to be important to look out for the benefit of others, and it became natural to prioritize one’s own interests over the interests of society. While apologizing was considered a virtue, today it is considered right to shout and try to be right no matter what the cost. While it was considered a virtue to stand by the weak, shed tears for them and protect them, today it has become natural to side with the strong and accept what suits their interests and what suits their own views as right and fair. Functionalization of justice has become the norm.

Although our history is full of courage, heroism and sacrifices, compliance with the expected rules during the pandemic period and making small sacrifices for this were considered interference with freedom. A country that fought the War of Independence lost its civic consciousness. In short, values ​​​​changed. The understanding of responsibility was replaced by rights. Children began to be raised with the understanding of “not letting a stone touch your foot”. As a result, young people who believed that they had “rights” without feeling the need to be responsible were raised. However, it was forgotten that what strengthens a person is the skill and experience gained as a result of the struggle to overcome the stones that tripped them.

Instead of being a mature person, being seen, showing and showing off became important. “Creating an image” became a business field. Being up-to-date gained value, not being permanent, and thus depth was replaced by superficiality. While faith and knowledge should serve the different needs of people, faith replaced knowledge. As a result, mediums, fortune tellers and astrologers began to occupy the leading positions in the mainstream media and be considered opinion leaders.

Most importantly, things to be ashamed of changed. Poverty; stupidity, incompetence and laziness began to be considered. The inequality of opportunity and income distribution that led to this situation were completely ignored. Many private universities accepted it as a matter of business to suggest to their professors to make exams easier. Websites that paid for these students’ homework and theses created a profitable business area.

The journey of maturity is achieved by taking responsibility throughout one’s life and postponing one’s pleasure for this purpose. However, today, people’s reasons for existence have turned into pleasure and instant gratification. Thus, a life based on emotional satisfaction and impulse has become the norm. However, people are not aware of this. A life based on pleasure cannot have a story. A life lived in comfort and wealth does not allow a person to recognize, develop and realize their potential. It is enough to look at the environment to test the validity of this assessment.

Money, love, reputation and respect are things that every person needs. However, it is necessary to work for them and deserve them. Seeing the right to consume without producing often leads to disappointment. If there is no pain, sadness, disappointment and failure in a life, that life is a mushroom life. What makes a life meaningful are the obstacles that are overcome. The struggle given to overcome these obstacles allows the person to create a life story that is worth listening to and respecting. As Hz. Mevlana said, “thorns that prick your foot may be the messenger of the rose you are looking for”. Because real experience is gained as a result of what we want being what we do not want.

(*) Edited with changes from the book Hayatın Hakkını Vermek ( Doğan Yayınevi).